I was lucky to travel when the best hotels were still inexpensive.

The Okura Hotel in Tokyo was part of the International Hotel chain.

Cost for an overnight stay today would be from $400-$600.

I paid $18 for a first-class room with all the amenities that only the Japanese can think of.

When I arrived, a small army of nurserymen were building a small forest in the lobby area. By the time I left,...